Originally Posted By: ediamiam
I suspect most cars these days weight minimally 2600+ lbs (scion) hence the need for power steering. How light is a 1990 Miata?
My '49 coupe weighs a lot more than that and never needed power steering. Most early Chrysler A-bodies (Lancer, Valiant, Dart) didn't need PS and typically weighed a tick over 3000 lb.
Power steering is at least a good convenience at low speeds (parking maneuvers), but what I don't understand is power brakes in a car weighing less than 5000 lb. Just absolutely unnecessary, and power boosters muddy up the feel of the brake pedal even worse than power steering damps out the feedback through the steering wheel. The pedal effort doesn't even have to be any higher, what the manufacturers are really using power braking for is to reduce pedal TRAVEL. The very best feeling brakes I've ever driven are unassisted disks.
I suspect most cars these days weight minimally 2600+ lbs (scion) hence the need for power steering. How light is a 1990 Miata?
My '49 coupe weighs a lot more than that and never needed power steering. Most early Chrysler A-bodies (Lancer, Valiant, Dart) didn't need PS and typically weighed a tick over 3000 lb.
Power steering is at least a good convenience at low speeds (parking maneuvers), but what I don't understand is power brakes in a car weighing less than 5000 lb. Just absolutely unnecessary, and power boosters muddy up the feel of the brake pedal even worse than power steering damps out the feedback through the steering wheel. The pedal effort doesn't even have to be any higher, what the manufacturers are really using power braking for is to reduce pedal TRAVEL. The very best feeling brakes I've ever driven are unassisted disks.